Duplicating machine



u,Mme 23, 1936. J. w. HERNLUND ET AL DUPLIY.GA'IING MACHINE ssheets-sheet@ Filled Oct. 19, 1933 HHHM E L -E www fewr? y fak??ZIA-Herz: Zeta@ b J. W. HERNLUND ET Al. 2,044,984.-

DUPLIGATING MACHINE Filed oct. i9, 5 sheets-sheet 2l ffarlleyy.;

juni@ 23, QB.

1W. HERNLUND ET AL. 2,044,984

DUPLICATING MACHINE s Asheets-sheet 3 Filed Oct. 19, -1953 nw E .me

Hbert Jeggyezj jmrnew.'

Patented June 23, 1936 UNETED STATES ATENT OFFICE Jagger, Chicago, Ill.,

assignors to Ditto Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of WestVirginia Application October 19, 1933, Serial No. 694,326

22 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in duplicating machines and, moreespecially, those oi the hectograph type.

The invention may be embodied, for example,

in a machine similar to the one disclosed in the co-pending applicationof Marchev and Hernlund, Serial No. 663,404, filed March 29, 1933.

In machines of this type there is provided a platen with a gelatin bandsupported thereon and a movable carriage above the same provided with aplaten roller and a pressure roller cooperating to feed sheets of paperonto the duplicating surface. The platen roller is supported on a yokewhich is rocked to move the roller upwardly and downwardly. When theroller is moved downwardly, it engages the paper and, cooperating withthe pressure roller, forces one edge of the paper into contact with theduplicating surface 4on the gelatin band. The carriage is then moved toroll the platen roller over the entire surface of the sheet of paper inthe duplicating process.

In lowering the platen roller, it is necessary or desirable to preventrotation of the same. Unless such rotation is prevented, a certainamount of rotation will ordinarily be imparted to the platen roller whenit engages the paper and presses the same against the pressure roller.By the use of our'invention, all rotation of the platen roller isprevented as it is moved from its upper to its lower position.

Not only is rotation prevented, but the roller is always held in one ofa certain number of defnite positions. This cooperates with anotherfeature of our invention, namely, means for insuring rotation of theplaten roller at the `commencement of the movement of the carriage.

Another feature of the invention is the provision `of .a relatively softplaten roller. Heretofore, in machines of this type, the platen rollerhas ordinarily been harder, or in any event, not softer thanfthe gelatinsurface of the gelatin band. One of the objects of our invention,however, is .to make lthe roller softer than the gelatin on the band.When the roller is thus made softer, however.,` it is necessary oradvisable `to insure rotation of the same at the commencement of themovement of the carriage. Consequently, one of the 'features of Aourinvention is the `making of a roller 'softer than the band or thecoating thereon in combination with means for insuring rotation of saidroller at the `commencement of the movement of the carriage.

Other features and `advantages of our inven- (Cl. lOl- 133) tion willappear more fully as we proceed with our specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of our invention shown inthe accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation; Fig. 2is a top plan view; Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the line 3 ofFig. 6; Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views showing the parts in alteredpositions; Fig. S is a view taken as indicated by the line 6 of Fig. 5;Fig. '7 is a view taken as indicated by the line 'I of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 isa view taken as indicated by the line 8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a viewtaken as indicated by the line 9 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 10 is a View takenas indicated by the line ID of Fig. '7.

As shown in the drawings, the duplicating machine is here shown assupported on a suitable cabinet Si. The general construction andoperation of the machine is the same as that shown in the co-pendingapplication of Marchev and Hernlund, Serial No. 663,404, filed March29,1933 and, consequently, the same need be shown here in detail anddescribed only sufficiently to disclose the invention claimed.

It will suffice to say that the machine includes a suitable frame IElhaving the usual bed or platen Il and gelatin band i2 lying thereover.There is also provided the usual carriage I3 carrying the platen rollerand pressure roller to be hereinafter described more in detail. I4indicates a standard margin bar and I5, a sheet of paper with one edgeresting against the same fed from the paper support I6.

Il indicates a platen roller mounted on the shaft i8 carried between theyoke members I9, I6 which, in turn, are carried on the rockable shaft2l] operated by the handle 2|. By rocking the shaft 26, the platenroller is raised and lowered. Fig. 3 shows this roller in its uppermostposition, Fig. 5 in its lowermost position, and Fig. 4 in anintermediate position. Cooperating with the platen roller I'I is apressure roller 22 carried on the swinging links 23. Springs 24yieldingly urge the pressure roller 22 to the left (as viewed in Figs.3, 4 and 5). Stops 25 limit the movement of the pressure roller 22 inthis direction. As the platen roller is lowered, it engages the pressureroller, the latter moving to the left against the tension of the springs24 to permit the platen roller to pass. During the downward movement ofthe platen roller, the sheet of paper l5 is engaged between the tworollers, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and one edge pressed against thegelatin band I2.

We shall now describe the means for preventing rotation of the platenroller il as it is lowered. This means includes an hexagonal member 26on the shaft i8 which carries the platen roller I1. Adjacent thishexagonal member is a curved cam surface 2l adapted to engage one of thefaces of the hexagonal member or nut 2t as the same is lowered. Thisengagement is maintained until the platen roller reaches its lowermostposition or up to a point shortly before this occurs. One face of thenut being in engagement with the cam surface 2l thus prevents rotationof the roller il' during the lower operation.

In order to insure correct position of the hexagonal nut so that one ofits faces will engage such cam surface, there is provided a spring 28adapted to press against the nut 26 when it is in its uppermostposition. The spring 23 forms virtually a continuation of the camsurface 2l. The pressure of the spring 25 will rotate the nut 26 untilone of its faces is flat against such spring. It is thus positioned sothat as it is lowered, this face will ride smoothly onto the cam surface2l and such cam surface will prevent all rotation of the nut as the sameis being lowered.

We have also provided means for insuring rotation of the platen rollerat the commencement of the movement of the carriage. Such means includesa star wheel Si? on the platen roller shaft I8. This star wheel isprovided with six points 30. 3| indicates a tooth fastened to the platenat one side and so located that when the platen roller is depressed,this tooth 3i will just engage one of the points 30 on the star wheel,the tooth lying just in front of the point. Since the platen roller I1,through the cooperation of the hexagonal member 26 with the cam surfaceil, is always held denitely in one of siX positions, the star wheel 3Bis shown as provided with six points. The star wheel is so positionedand the tooth 3l is so located that in each of these positions, when theplaten roller reaches the lowermost point of its travel, one of thepoints 3l will be brought into position just back of and against thetooth 3l. Consequently, as soon as the travel of the carriage commences,the tooth 3i will engage the point 3G behind it and initiate rotation ofthe platen roller. It is to be understood that the tooth 3| operatesmerely toninitiate rotation of the platen roller and functions only atthe beginning of the travel of the carriage. During the further movementof the carriage, the platen roller moves over the sheet being printedand is adapted to be rotated by contact therewith. It will be seen fromthe above that the hexagonal member not only prevents rotation of theplaten roller when the same is moved upwardly and downwardly, but alsocorrectly positions the same to bring one of the points 3S on the starwheel in contact with and just back of the tooth 3E.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention,it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications.Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of our invention asdisclosed in the appended claims, in which it is our intention to claimall novelty inherent in our invention as broadly as permissible, in Viewof the prior art.

It is to be understood that the surface of the roller Il as here shownis softer than the band l2 or the gelatin or other coating that theremay be thereon.

What we regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a machine of the class described the combination of; a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed; a platen roller movable alongthe bed; means for raising and lowering said platen roller with respectto said bed; a member connected to the platen roller, said member havinga projecting part; and a tooth on the bed so positioned that when theplaten roller is lowered said projecting part will be brought intoposition just behind said tooth, whereby said tooth will engage saidpart to impart positive rotation to the roller when it begins itsimpression travel.

2. In a machine of the class described the combination of; a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed; a platen roller movable alongthe bed; means for raising and lowering said platen roller with respectto said bed; a member connected to the platen roller, said member havinga plurality of projecting parts; and a tooth on the bed so positionedthat when the platen roller is lowered one of said projecting parts willbe brought into position just behind said tooth, whereby said tooth willengage said part to impart positive rotation to the roller when itbegins its impression travel.

3l. In a machine of the class described the combination of; a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed; a platen roller movable alongthe bed; means for raising and lowering said platen roller with respectto said bed; a member connected to the platen roller and rotatabletherewith, said member having a plurality of projecting parts; and atooth on the bed so positioned that when the platen roller is loweredone of said projecting parts will be brought into position just behindsaid tooth, whereby said tooth will engage said part to impart positiverotation to the roller when it begins its impression travel.

4. In a machine of the class described the combination of; a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed; a platen roller movable alongthe bed; means for raising and lowering said platen roller with respectto said bed; a member connected to the platen roller and rotatabletherewith, said member having a projecting part; a tooth on the bed; andmeans for positioning the roller, whereby said projecting part will bebrought into position just behind the tooth when the roller is lowered,whereby said tooth will engage said part to impart positive rotation tothe roller when it begins its impression travel.

5. In a machine of the class described the combination of; a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed; a platen roller movable alongthe bed; means for raising and lowering said platen roller with respectto said bed; a member connected to the platen roller and rotatabletherewith, said member having a plurality of projecting parts; a toothon the bed; and means for positioning the roller, whereby one of saidprojecting parts will be brought into position just behind the toothwhen the roller is lowered, whereby said tooth will engage said part toimpart positive rotation to the roller when it begins its impressiontravel.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of flattened faces,and a Cam surface adapted to engage one of said faces.

"7. Apparatus *as claimed in claim 4, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality `of flattened faces,a cam surface adapted to engage fone -of said 'faces during the loweringof the platen roller.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of flattened faces,and a cam surface adapted to engage one of said faces.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of flattened faces,and a cam surface adapted to engage one of said faces during thelowering of the platen roller.

l0. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of attened faces, acam surface adapted to engage one of said faces during the lowering ofthe platen roller, and yielding means for positioning the platen rollerto cause engagement between said cam surface and one of said facesduring the lowering of the platen roller.

1l. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of flattened faces,a cam surface adapted to engage one of said faces during the lowering ofthe platen roller, and yielding means for positioning the platen rollerto cause engagement between said cam surface and one of said facesduring the lowering of the platen roller.

l2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of flattened faces,a cam surface adapted to engage one of said faces during the lowering ofthe platen roller, and yielding means for positioning the platen rollerto cause engagement between said cam surface and one of said facesduring the lowering of the platen roller, said yielding meanscooperating with one of said faces.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the means for positioningthe roller includes a member connected to the platen roller androtatable therewith, said member having a plurality of flattened faces,a cam surface adapted to engage one of said faces during the lowering ofthe platen roller, and yielding means for positioning the platen rollerto cause engagement between said cam surface and one of said facesduring the lowering of the platen roller, said yielding meanscooperating with one of said faces.

14. In a machine of the class described the combination of a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed; a platen roller movable alongthe bed; means for raising and lowering said platen roller with respectto said bed; and means for preventing rotation of said roller during thelowering thereof, said means comprising a cam surface extending in thedirection of lowering movement of said platen roller and a member fixedto the platen roller having a flattened face engaging the cam surface.

l5. In fa machine of the class described the combination of; `a framehaving a bed; fa gelatin band on the bed; a platen 'roller movable'along the b'ed; means Afor vraising and lowering said platen rollerwith respect to 'said bed; and means for preventing `rotatibn of saidroller during the lowering thereof, said mea-ns including a memberconnected to the roller and rotatable therewith, said member having aplurality of flattened faces circumferentially arranged about the axisof the platen roller and facing outwardly from said axis, and a camsurface extending in the direction of lowering movement of the platenroller and adapted to engage one of said faces during the lowering ofthe roller.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in combination with yielding meansfor positioning the platen roller to cause engagement between Said camsurface and one of said faces during the lowering of the platen roller.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in combination with yielding meansfor positioning the platen roller to cause engagement between said camsurface and one of said faces during the lowering of the platen roller,said yielding means cooperating with one of said faces.

18. In a machine of the class described the combination of; a framehaving a bed; a gelatin band on the bed adapted to receive a sheet to beprinted; a platen roller movable over said sheet adapted to be rotatedby contact therewith, the surface of said roller being softer than theupper surface of the gelatin band; and means operating only at thebeginning of the impression travel of the platen roller to impartpositive rotation to said roller when it begins to travel.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aprinting bed for supporting a printing surface from which copies are tobe made, a platen roller movable over said bed for pressing a copy sheetagainst the printing surface and adapted to be rotated by contact withthe copy sheet, and means operating only at the beginning of theimpression travel of the platen roller to impart positive rotation tosaid roller when it begins to travel, said means comprising cooperatingmembers secured to the roller and bed respectively, and positioningmeans for said roller causing its member to engage with the member onthe bed at the beginning of each impression travel.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aprinting bed for supporting a printing surface from which copies are tobe made, a platen roller movable over said bed forpressing a copy sheetagainst the printing surface, means for raising and lowering said platenroller with respect to said bed, and means to prevent rotation of saidplaten roller during the lowering thereof, said last named meanscomprising a member rotatable with the platen roller and having aplurality of flattened faces on its circumference, a cam surface adaptedto engage one of said faces during lowering of the roller, and yieldingmeans for engaging said member to align one of said faces with the camsurface before the member reaches the cam surface during lowering of theroller.

21. In a duplicating machine having a printing bed, a carriage having aplaten roller movable to and from said printing bed, and means toprevent rotation of the platen roller during a substantial part of itsmovement toward the printing bed, said means comprising a cam on thecarriage, and a polygonal member fixed to the platen roller.

22. In a duplicating machine having a printing roller, said cam havingin part a yielding track bed, a carriage having a platen roller movablefor engaging said polygonal member to provide to and from said printingbed, and means to prefor manual rotation of the platen roller While ventrotation of the platen roller during a subin raised position. stantialpart of its movement toward the printing JOHN W. HERNLUND. bed, saidmeans comprising a cam on the car- HUBERT JAGGER. riage, and a polygonalmember xed to the platen

